Sunday, March 28, 2010

And then there was three........Skipper's Story

Skipper's Story








I'm not sure if I am ready to write about this or not but I think I need to get it off my chest before I can move on in blogging.  Each time I sit down to try to write a post this issue looms in front of me like a dark cloud.  As most of you know we had to put down our beautiful little pony Skipper a couple weeks ago.  It was very unexpected and happened so fast I could hardly absorb what had taken place.  He was only ten and we had had him for seven years.

When the grandchildren came along we wanted a pony for them to ride.  I had put an ad in that said we were looking for a well broke, quiet, child safe pony about ten years old or so.  We had been asking around at the local Pony Club and friends of ours that have horses to find such a pony.  Nothing.  That's when I put the ad in the paper thinking I would get lots of calls.  Not one except from the man that had Skip.

He sounded like a good prospect over the phone so we decided to take a drive out to see him.  It was getting near dusk and it was a 40 minute drive so I asked the man if he had lights in the barn so that we could get a real good look at him.  Well, he said he didn't have a barn but he would take him in the kitchen if we wanted..........that should have been my first clue.........in the kitchen.

We drove and drove and it was really getting dark.  There didn't seem to have been a house for a few miles and it was a bit errie out there in the woods.  Finally we came to the house and I just sank in my seat.  There is nothing wrong with living modestly but I do have an issue with people that live in filth.  It doesn't cost much for a bar of soap or take much effort to put the trash in the trash cans.  We almost didn't stop.   But we did.

They greeted us and when I asked where the pony was they pointed to an old one horse rusted out trailer.  I could hear movement in there and yes that is where Skip was being housed.  There was no pasture just a round pen with various other poor creatures standing around.  Evidently the other horses were picking on him so they kept him in the trailer, tied.

He was a shy little guy but let me lead him around tip toeing on his inch high shoes that are used for pulling ponies.  The man bragged that he could win a ribbon at any country fair and that they had been using him to yard logs out of the woods.  I felt sick.  His mane was shaved off and his tail was cut off up to the bone plus he was underweight for his 11 hands.  He had a beautiful face with big eyes and I was smitten for several reasons, the main one was to get him out of that place and the second was he did seem gentle and have a kind soul.

We went home that night talking about it all the way.  He wasn't anything that we were looking for.  He hadn't been ridden much if any and was totally lacking in any training except driving.  We would keep looking.

Wrong. 

I couldn't sleep that night very well as all of this was going through my head and when we got up the next morning I looked at the Hubs and we both said that we had to get him out of there.  The Hubs unbeknownst to me took a drive out that morning to check out some things that we needed to know if this pony was going to be around our young grandchildren.  He wanted to know if he would strike out at you if you tried picking up his feet as we knew there was a problem with that among other things.  He also wanted those horrible shoes taken off him but if we had known they were going to tie him up on the ground to do it we would have made other arrangements.

Continued..............

12 comments:

Susan said...

Oh my, can hardly wait for the continuation!!!

Mrs. Mom said...

Hang in there MM. Telling this tale will be good for your soul. Sharing Skipper's Story with us all will bring him back through your words.

Loads of love to all of you, from our little corner of the world...

Dawn said...

Wow. I know nothing about horses, but this sounds pretty cruel and inhumane! I am so thankful you found him and he had such a blessed life for the years he lived with you. I'll be anxious to hear the next installment.

Rising Rainbow said...

I can only imagine what is coming next. So glad that you were able to save Skipped for such a sorry life.

Makes me think about the ponies we had here. We didn't have them as long as you had Skipper but even that short time was so much better for them than the way they'd been living.

Needled Mom said...

Oh man.....I want to keep reading!!!!! I know the end of the story, but it is so interesting to read all about how you came to meet him. You gave him such a wonderful life and he was blessed to have you for his caretakers.

Hugs, my dear friend. xoxox

Anonymous said...

Hi..I dropped by today to read your blog..got your name from another blog I read...and so sorry about Skip..we do love our pet friends..right?? and anxious to hear the rest of your "rescue" story!!! I am a "city" girl so to speak...so reading about life in the country is always interesting..and yes..I read a few more of your blogs and had a good laugh and a big smile...God Bless...hugs from Ora in Kentucky

Ms Martyr said...

So glad you rescued this little guy and looking forward to the rest of the story.

Terri said...

Move through this story. you will feel better after it is shared with those who care. This can be used as part of your healing. I promise to keep reading as long as you promise to keep writing.
Thank goodness you found him. I am not a violent person until I hear stories such as Skipper's. I could easily horsewhip that man myself!!!
Take care of yourself. Know my prayers are with you.
Terri Baker

hippo chick said...

I want to hear the rest of this but I am already feeling so sad for that poor little pony. I know you rescued him, so I can look forward to the rest of this story. Please hurry.

As much as I am still grieving the loss of my dear dog, I know you are hurting. My heart and prayers are with you.

~hippo hugs~

Carole Burant said...

I'm crying at the thought of the life Skipper had before you found him. He really must have thought he was in heaven when you finally brought him home and showed him what love and caring really is all about. My heart is breaking for you and I so wish I could do something to ease your pain but I know it's time you need. Love you dear friend of mine. xoxoxoxo

sue said...

I have missed your postings, and like everyone else, am so happy to see you back and read this wonderful story... having been there/done that, I can appreciate where your heart is just now... between your camp and this, it's been a long winter for you.. but the Good Lord has you in his eye, HE will hold you up and carry you when you need it.. and we - your blogger friends - are here as well.....

Donna. W said...

Wow, where have I been to have missed this story? I'm so glad the rain brought me in from the garden. Yes, it is good to remember and share things like this. It's also difficult. I'm going on to part 2 now.